Mickelson tunes up on revamped Oakland Hills

AP PhotoPhil Mickelson practices his chip shots at Oakland Hills on Tuesday in preparation for the next week's PGA Championship. Mickelson last played there as a member of the 2004 U.S. Ryder Cup team.

BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP -- Adam Scott had never played Oakland Hills before Tuesday, so he didn't face many surprises during his four-hour practice round with Geoff Ogilvy.

It was a different story for Phil Mickelson, who spent more than three hours dissecting just the front nine in advance of next week's PGA Championship.

Oakland Hills has undergone a major facelift since Mickelson played there in 2004 as part of the U.S. Ryder Cup team.

Since the Ryder Cup, the course has been lengthened by 400 yards while hazards and landing areas have been put in "more appropriate" areas to match the skills of PGA Tour players along with advanced technology, Bayliss said.

Mickelson, the world's No. 2-ranked golfer, is attempting to claim his first major in two years. He tied for fifth at The Masters, tied for 18th at the U.S. Open and tied for 19th at the British Open.

"We've got a lot more work to do," Mickelson, who played under the watchful eye of short game coach Dave Pelz, said as he walked away from the course.

Scott, ranked fourth in the world and coming off a 16th-place finish at the British Open, used Tuesday's round to acquaint himself with the course.

"I got a good look today," the Australian said. "Because it was quiet, we could spend as much time as we wanted out there. I think it's all about learning the greens a bit. With the greens being so severe, you get a good picture in your mind of what the greens are (like)."

Asked what the event would be like without the world's top player, the injured Tiger Woods, Scott replied: "I don't know -- you tell me. He's not going to be here so everyone's got to deal with it."

Ernie Els, ranked fifth in the world, was expected to spent time on the course Tuesday afternoon.